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“The place is huge”

“That it is And there have been sorand parties held here over the years” She sounds wistful as she stares alh to roast an ox “Initaries Even the Queen”

“Wow! The Queen? Was her visit recent?”

“No, it was some years back Back when Prince Charles wore short trousers My ranny was in service here before her Oh, the tales she had to tell In those days, over a hundred servants were holding this place together”

“How many work here now?”

“Fifteen”

I stop inon a staff of fifteen? I hurry after Chrissy as she turns a corner, then reaches out to push against what looks like a wall It’s actually a door A door that leads to a passageith a serviceable green carpet and plain painted white walls “We call this the backstairs”

“For the servants?”

She nods in agreement

“Not to be seen or heard, so they just arrive in the rooicians?” She frowns, and as I don’t want to annoy or offend, I return to the previous topic “How does a house this size survive with fifteen staff? I et done?”

“Not by ic,” she replies pointedly “Most of the traditional service roles were done aith by technology Indoor plu made cha did aith the housemaids Modern kitchen appliances er necessary We have a maintenance team of four You’ll probably see therounds staff I’ the rooms and exhibits Mari helps me out, as does wee Sophie, and Mari works in the education centre, too” Just great Mari ants e and job “The pair also help keep the private residence in order Then there are the lot who runs the souvenir shop and the café”

“So, gone are the days of butlers, valets, and ladies’ ency romance book a time or two Maybeselections, even if I had begun appropriating her Mills & Boon bodice rippers froe of twelve